Migraines More Common in Women Due to Estrogen Levels

The reason why women get more migraines than men could be sex hormones. Recent research has revealed that sex hormones affect cells around the trigeminal nerve and connected blood vessels in the head. To top the list is estrogen which is particularly important for making the cells sensitive to triggers that cause migraines. This finding could create a new path for scientists to develop personalized treatments for migraine patients. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing.

"We can observe significant differences in our experimental migraine model between males and females and are trying to understand the molecular correlates responsible for these differences," explains Professor Antonio Ferrer-Montiel from the Universitas Miguel Hernández, Spain. "Although this is a complex process, we believe that modulation of the trigeminovascular system by sex hormones plays an important role that has not been properly addressed."

Study

• While the hormone testosterone seems to protect against migraines, another hormone called prolactin appears to make migraines worse. They cause the ion channels that are present on the cell surfaces more or less vulnerable to migraine triggers. Ion channels usually control the reactions of the cells to outside stimuli.
• Estrogen and changes in estrogen levels sensitize the cells around the trigeminal nerve to stimuli. That makes it easier to trigger a migraine attack.
• Estrogen has been considered a risk factor for migraines since the condition prevails more in menstruating women and during period-related changes in hormone levels.

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